12 ways to minimize the risks of spreading illness at work

Catching a cold in the winter months is somewhat inevitable, however there are ways to minimise the risk of catching an illness in your workplace. Here are a few useful tips.
Clean your hands
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Catching a cold in the winter months is somewhat inevitable, however there are ways to minimise the risk of catching an illness in your workplace. Here are a few useful tips.

Clean your hands

A helpful way to decrease the risk of infecting yourself and others is to wash your hands often, especially before and after preparing food and after using the toilet. Here is a detailed example on how to wash your hands thoroughly.

Cover your cough

To avoid spreading germs, it is important to cover your cough. It’s your responsibility to cover your mouth when coughing to reduce the risk of passing on any illness.

Avoid close contact

It is advised to avoid close contact and to keep your distance from others when you are ill, this will protect them from catching any germs and getting sick too.

Cleaning products

Cleaning products such as cloths, sponges should be replaced regularly. By using disposable cloths or paper towels, you’re more likely to decrease the risk of spreading and passing on germs.

Clean desk

Your desk is a commonly used area, so regularly cleaning this space will prevent germs spreading at work.

Clean communal areas

Regular surface cleaning in areas such as a kitchen or bathroom is very important. Commonly, businesses have professional cleaners, however you should encourage employees to regularly give surfaces a clean for long-lasting protection.

Get vaccinated

It is critical for employees to consider prevention to limit the impact of communicable illnesses in the workplace. Vaccinations will help prevent the risk of spreading illnesses and routinely offered to everyone in the UK for free on the NHS, find out more out more here.

Be prepared

Hand sanitiser and tissues are always good to have on hand. Although they don’t remove all types of germs, these products can lower the number of germs on your hands. If employees see you keep tissues and hand sanitiser close by, it may encourage them to do the same.

Food habits

It’s important to ensure food preparation surfaces are hygienically clean. We also recommend washing up shared plates, glasses, mugs and food containers that are handled by others.

Waste disposal

We suggest having a foot-operated bin, as they are more hygienic, reducing the risk of hands touching and picking up germs when touching a bin lid. It’s important to always wash your hands after handling waster and to make sure you throw rubbish away to avoid attracting any insects.

Hands off

It doesn’t sound pleasant, but the germs that cause the flu and other common illnesses mainly spread through droplets that form when people talk, cough or sneeze. By touching something that is already contaminated and then touch your eyes, mouth or nose, you can get sick.

Stay at home

It is extremely important to stay at home when you are unwell, this not only allows your body to rest, but it also allows you to keep your illness to yourself and prevents passing on your illness to others around you.